Multi-lumen Vacuum Wound Treatment Connection Device

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing negative-pressure wound treatment systems lack an efficient method to achieve multi-lumen fluid communication between multiple wound connections, limiting the simultaneous application of negative pressure and fluid rinsing across different lumens.

Innovation Solution

A connecting device that integrates multiple lumens from separate line sections into a single multi-lumen line section, allowing for separate lumens to be used for negative pressure and rinsing, with a one-piece design and sealed connections using O-rings, enabling controlled fluid flow and pressure application.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If separate lumens are used for different purposes (negative pressure and rinsing), then treatment functionality is improved, but device complexity increases due to multiple connection devices and sealing requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetreatment functionalityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple separate connection devices into a single integrated connecting device that houses multiple female receptacles for different line sections. This merging approach maintains the ability to apply negative pressure and deliver rinsing media through separate lumens while reducing the overall number of discrete connection components and sealing interfaces required in the system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The connecting device is designed as a multi-functional component that simultaneously handles multiple fluid pathways (negative pressure and rinsing media) through its multiple female receptacles. This universal design allows a single device to perform what would otherwise require multiple separate connection devices, thereby reducing system complexity while maintaining treatment versatility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Ease of manufacture

If a one-piece connecting device is used, then manufacturing simplicity is improved, but sealing reliability may worsen due to multiple lumens requiring sealing

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing simplicityVSAvoidsealing reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The connecting device is formed as a single integrated piece housing multiple female receptacles, which simplifies manufacturing compared to assembling multiple separate connection devices. The internal structure combines multiple lumens and sealing surfaces into one component, reducing assembly steps while maintaining reliable sealing through the integrated design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The connecting device uses uniform sealing surfaces and consistent material properties throughout its structure, with all female receptacles following the same design pattern. This homogeneity in design and manufacturing process ensures reliable sealing across all lumens while simplifying production through standardized fabrication methods.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #33Homogeneity

Data Source

PatentEP2453973B2Connection device for bringing together at least two line sections in a vacuum-based wound treatment system
Publication Date: 2018.03.28 PAUL HARTMANN AG
  • EP2453973B2 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2453973B2 patent drawingFigure 2a~2b

AI summary

The invention relates to a connection device (2) for bringing together at least two line sections (4, 6) in a vacuum-based wound treatment system, wherein the two line sections (4, 6) are arranged on the wound side in relation to the connection device (2), and wherein the connection device (2), on the side thereof facing away from the wound, can be connected to a third, multi-lumen line section (34) leading to a vacuum-generating device; the connection device is designed, according to the invention, such that the at least two line sections (4, 6) have a multi-lumen configuration and these line sections (4, 6) each have a multi-lumen attachment device (16, 18) that can be brought into flow communication with the connection device (2), and such that separate lumens (8, 10; 12, 14) of the two line sections (4, 6) on the wound side also remain separate from each other inside the connection device (2) and inside the third line section (34).